Vancouver International Airport is located in Richmond, British Columbia. This airport is 12 kilometers from the city center.
Vancouver is one of Canada’s most popular cities, with its stunning natural beauty, captivating location on the Pacific Ocean, and modern urban design. You may be enchanted the moment you enter Vancouver Airport. As soon as you walk through the doors, you are greeted by massive totem poles. Artwork by indigenous peoples is displayed throughout the terminal. Vancouver Airport has won the “Best North American Airport” award many times.
YVR is Canada’s second busiest airport after Toronto Pearson. Vancouver Airport is an important hub for Pacific crossings. There are direct flights to Asian destinations from this airport.
Don’t worry about getting from the airport to the city center. Getting from the airport to the city center is really easy. The Canada Line train is the most popular option. You can reach downtown Vancouver in just 26 minutes. The train goes to the Waterfront station. The train station is right in the middle of the terminal building. This means you can easily reach the train station from both the domestic and international terminals. There are taxi and bus stops in front of the terminals. The taxi ride to the city center takes 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis operate 24 hours a day.
There are two main terminals at the airport: Main Terminal and South Terminal. There are five piers in the Main Terminal: A, B, C, D, E. This terminal is used for international and domestic flights. The South Terminal is used by regional airlines. There is a free shuttle bus between the two terminals.
Interactive Vancouver Airport Map
Vancouver Airport Terminals
There are two main terminals at Vancouver Airport: Main Terminal and South Terminal. There is a free shuttle between the terminals. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes.
Vancouver Airport Main Terminal
The Main Terminal is a huge complex divided into five separate piers. Each separate pier serves different destinations.
Pier A has 6 gates. Pier B has 15 gates. Pier B is used for international flights and flights to the United States. Pier C is used for domestic flights. Air Canada and Air Canada Express operate their domestic flights from here. Pier C has 25 gates.
Pier D is the hub for your international travel. It is used for all overseas flights except those to the United States. It is also the heart of duty-free shopping. Pier E is used for flights to the United States.
Inside the terminal, there are car rental offices, restaurants, cafes, and shops. The terminal offers services and amenities such as free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, ATMs, and baby care rooms.
Vancouver Airport South Terminal
The South Terminal is designed for small regional airlines. Airlines such as Pacific Coastal Airlines and Central Mountain Air use this terminal. Seasonal charter flights also depart from this terminal.
For international flights, you should be at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. The terminal is particularly crowded during midday hours. If you have a domestic flight, it is sufficient to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight.
Vancouver Airport Car Rental
If you want to explore the magnificent nature of Vancouver and its surroundings, having a car in this city is a must. You can rent a car as soon as you land at the airport. Car rental offices are located on the ground floor of the multi-story parking building directly opposite the Main Terminal. Offices of many world-renowned companies such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, Enterprise, and Alamo are gathered in this area. Follow the “Car Rental” signs at the terminal exit to reach the car rental offices. It is only a few minutes’ walk from the terminal to the parking area. If you are a domestic passenger, go down the ramp from the baggage carousel, pass 7-Eleven, and cross the street to the ground floor of the parking garage. International passengers can cross directly after customs to reach the parking garage.
Some companies, such as Europcar, Routes, SIXT, and West Coast Car Rental, are located outside the airport. You can reach the offices of car rental companies outside the airport via a free shuttle service from the Courtesy Shuttle area at Level 2 Arrivals.
A driver’s license, passport, and credit card are sufficient to rent a car. You can also rent your car online before your trip. This will speed up your check-in at the terminal. If you make your reservation online, you are guaranteed to get the car model you want and can rent your car at a more affordable price.
Vancouver Airport VIP Lounge
There are VIP Lounges in both the Domestic and International terminals at Vancouver Airport. Plaza Premium Lounge provides service in both terminals. Plaza Premium Lounges are open to everyone. You only need to pay at the door. However, the lounge may be full during peak seasons.
Air Canada’s “Maple Leaf Lounge” lounges are open primarily to loyalty program members and business class passengers. The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is located near Gate B24 on Pier C, between Gates 84-86 on Pier E, and near Gate D52 on Pier D. The Domestic lounge is open from 04:30 to 23:00. The Transborder lounge is open from 06:15 to 20:00. The International lounge is the most comprehensive. This VIP Lounge is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Hot meals are served in this lounge area.
In the International Terminal, airlines such as SkyTeam and Cathay Pacific have their own VIP Lounge areas.
The VIP Lounges serve freshly prepared hot meals, cold appetizers, a wide range of beverages, and barista-made coffees. The lounge has high-speed internet and work areas. In addition, some lounges have shower facilities and quiet relaxation rooms.
Hotels in Vancouver Airport
There is a hotel connected to the terminals at Vancouver Airport. Fairmont Vancouver Airport is a comfortable hotel with views of the planes, directly connected to the terminal. Fairmont is easily accessible on foot from inside the terminal. The hotel’s reception and transfer directions are marked with signs inside the terminal. Fairmont Vancouver Airport is a 5-minute walk from the Canadian and International terminals. So if you have an early morning flight, you can literally walk out the door and be at security in 2 minutes.
There are also many hotels located near Vancouver Airport. Holiday Inn Vancouver Airport-Richmond, Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport-Richmond, Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport, Best Western Plus Vancouver Airport Hotel, and Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport are all located near the airport. All of these hotels offer a free shuttle service. The shuttle departs from the designated areas in front of the terminal. Most hotels offer shuttle service 24 hours a day. These hotels are only 5-10 minutes away from Vancouver Airport.
Vancouver International Airport Location
Vancouver International Airport Address: 3211 Grant McConachie Wy, Richmond, BC V7B 0A4, Canada.
Vancouver International Airport IATA: YVR.
Vancouver International Airport ICAO: CYVR.
Satellite view of Vancouver Airport. Click to enlarge
Vancouver Airport destination map (February 2026). Click to enlarge